Pomona football parties to homecoming win

ARVADA — Pomona rolled to a comfortable homecoming victory Friday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

The Panthers — No. 8 in this week’s Class 3A Colorado Preps football rankings — had five rushing touchdowns in the first half in a 49-13 victory over Wheat Ridge.

“We had a tough loss against Dakota Ridge and then the long bye week,” Pomona senior Michael Tischler said of leading up to the Wheat Ridge game. “We came out here motivated and ready to kick some Wheat Ridge butt. We did it.”

Senior Bauer Swazo had a pair of touchdown runs in the first quarter to open up a 14-0 lead. Junior Emmit Munson ripped off a 55-yard touchdown to push the lead to 21-0 with 11:36 left in the second quarter.

“We want to start out quick,” Swazo said of Pomona scoring on its opening drive. “We want to be physical and play to our strengths.”

Wheat Ridge got on the board with a 64-yard touchdown run by senior Bennett Wilkes, but Pomona struck back with a pair of touchdown runs by junior Luis Santana to close out the first half. Pomona (3-2 record) led 35-7 before the halftime festivities started.

“It’s great,” Swazo said of the variety of running back Pomona can throw at opponents. “I feel like we are all speedy. All of us can take it 60 to 70 yards. That is just what we do. Our line blocks and we go.”

Juniors Connor Craver and Aaron Gomez had the sixth and seventh rushing touchdowns of the night as the Panthers eventually induced a running clock midway through the fourth quarter.

Pomona opens up 3A North 1 League play next week at No. 4 Roosevelt (4-1). The Roughriders were on a bye week following a 34-10 loss to Windsor back on Sept. 27.

“When we made the schedule I still wanted some tough 4A schools,” Pomona coach Nate Johnson said of the Panthers two non-league losses to 4A top-3 ranked Pueblo West and Dakota Ridge. “We want to play the best of the best at the level that we are at. It has made us stronger. We are sharpening that iron and ready to kick off conference next week at Roosevelt. They are a great school.”

Roosevelt was the 3A state champion in 2022. Last season, the Roughriders were bounced out of the playoffs by Green Mountain in the 3A quarterfinals.

“We are very confident going into league play,” Swazo said. “We are going to try to keep it up against Roosevelt.”

Wheat Ridge (3-2) will attempt to bounce back next week when it starts 3A West Metro play. The Farmers open with a tough test in No. 9 Green Mountain. The Jeffco rivals are scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff Friday, Oct. 11, at Trailblazer Stadium.